Joyful Stars Blog Hop - Close To My Heart

It's time again for the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  I really enjoy participating in this hop.  This month, the theme is Holiday Gifts or Tags.  Well, I've done several tags already so I decided to do a Holiday Gift for my home.  If you've arrived here from Helen's Blog you are on the right track.  So without further ado, here is my project.

I took a Glass Craft Block and filled it with Buffalo Snow, Snow Sparkles and a strand of 20 white cord lights.  Next, using Cashmere and Ruby Pigment Ink, I inked the edges, sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder, Prisma Glitter and heated it, to give the effect of ice around the block.  The CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge has a key that includes the negative space "Peace" and the Poinsettias (page 80.)  I cut the sentiment in Champagne and the Poinsettias in Ruby with a Champagne overlay.  Each was sponged, lined with Prisma Glitter and attached to the block with Liquid Glass.  Last but not least, I wrapped the block with Deco Mesh and Ribbon and tied the big bow for the top.  Here is a picture of it in it's new home by my fireplace.

That's it in the lower right hand corner all lit up.  By the way, I used a great deal of Deco Mesh this year for my decorating and I will give some tips but that is for another post.  :o)  It's time to hop over to Elizabeth's Blog to see what she has created for us.  If you get lost along the way you can always head back to the Joyce's blog to find the full list of participants.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

I'm still busy working on different Christmas Cards.  How about you?  I wanted to try something a little different for this card and you will have to let me know if you think it worked.  I did some stamping and inking with the My Acrylix Blocks.  Ok, we always use our blocks to stamp because the CTMH stamps adhere so easily and the clear acrylic allows you to see where you are stamping.  But, what if you use the block without a stamp on them?

 



I inked the actual block with shades of Whisper, Sky and Smokey Plum and then randomly stamped them down onto the mat.  I wanted to created the sharp look of an iceberg.  I chose those colors because if you think of the sun shinning of snow and ice, it's not always just white...you have a prism effect of many beautiful colors.  I thought that these 3 colors fit the bill perfectly.  I added a little Prisma Glitter to the peaks of the icebergs, too.

In keeping with the theme of the Penguin Card, I created a "snow globe" for the sentiment.  I took one of the CTMH Treat Cups (Z1778) and used my Spellbinders to 2 holes in coordinating card stock mats.  The treat cups are open on the back so I also cut a back mat that would show through the front of the treat cup.  I stamped on the back mat and before I attached the treat cup (they come with an adhesive strip) I added just a touch of plastic snow that I use with my Christmas Village to create the snow globe effect.  The Penguin is from a CTMH stamp set that is exclusive for Hostesses.  It is called Wintery Wishes (C1560.)  If you look closely, I added some Liquid Applique (Z308) to his Santa Hat.

I really hate to mention that  Liquid Applique and the Treat Cups are all on the retiring list for this spring.  So, if you would like to stock up on these CTMH favorites visit my website to purchase them before they are gone.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Clearly The Best: Subway Speak (S02E09)

This looks really interesting!  I've used the 6 x 6 canvas before to create a really interesting project in the spring. 

 

 

  

 

While I didn't use the Modge Podge like they did in the video, I did use the Pearl Paint and re-inker to paint the canvas.  By the way, that is CTMH Forever Fabric and Slate Satin Ribbon.  The Polka Dot Ribbon is going to be retired come the new Idea Book so if you would like to try those melted flowers, click over to my website.  There is a full list of all the items being retired there too.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Special

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Now it is time to really concentrate on Christmas.  In order to help you, I am offering a Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Special.  Here are 2 ways to receive a special treat from me!

1.  Join in the  Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Party on my website.  Spend $50 on product to help you make those Holiday Cards and Projects and not only will you be eligible to purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5.00, I'll send you any "B" size stamp set of your choice.

2.  Join in the .Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Party on my website.  Spend $100 on product and not only will you be eligible to purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5, but you will also be eligible for a free starred product in the Holiday's From The Heart Gift Guide.  And, you treat will be any "C" sized stamp set from me.

In both cases to be eligible for the stamp set from me, you must join the "Black Friday Through Cyber Monday party on my website.  You need to also email me you choice of stamp set.  I will order your stamp set and mail it out to you as soon as I receive it.

How cool is that!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Crafting By Designs Challenge

I am finally seeing my way clear to assume some of my Crafting By Designs designer team responsibilities.  Whew....  Crafting By Designs is a terrific challenge blog that focuses on creativity and friendship.  The challenges run for a week and many times have a great give away attached.  This weeks challenge is to create a card that features either a Christmas or Winter Theme. 

My card for the challenge features the CTMH stamp called Classy Doily (B1424) and the Frosted paper packet (X7175B.)  Both of these products are 2 of my favorites from the Fall/Winter Idea Book.

To complete this card, I heat embossed the Classic Doily 3 times in silver embossing powder.  I cut out the first image, then cut the second one around an inner design and the third I cut out the center star.  I lightly colored small sections of each with my CTMH alcohol markers for just an accent and the focal image was done.  "Noel" was also heat embossed in silver.  The two bottom strips were punched using my CTMH border punch (Z1851.)   A few sparkles, a little shimmer tape and the card was done.  By the way, the sketch is from "Make It From The Heart, Vol. 1."  (9035)  I love the CTMH sketch and how to books.

So, if you want to take a break from your cooking, baking and eating, hop over to the Crafting By Designs Blog Challenge and share one of your creations.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

Today I worked some time to begin to organize just how many Christmas Cards I have made and much to my dismay, I don't have enough made yet!  AHHHH....  So, I began to think about a quick card that I could design and mass produce. 

Close To My Heart makes it so simple to make cards quickly but that still have a special flair.  After all, the CTMH motto is "faster, simpler, easier."  I dry embossed Cranberry card stock and then sanded it to remove color from the raised area.  I love that CTMH card stock is white core....just another fun design dimension that can be added to any of your projects.  The sentiment is, once again, from that terrific Frosted WTOG stamp set.  It has become my go to stamp this season.

I was able to create 6 cards in no time!  Whew...  CTMH is the answer to Holiday card making projects.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

Well, it's back to work on my Christmas Cards and CTMH makes it so easy.  There are so many wonderful stamp sets and papers and it is hard to decide what I want to make.

I've shared several photos of projects that I've made with the Stamp from the Frosted Workshop On The Go.  If I haven't mentioned it before, this WTOG is the best kit CTMH has put together.  For $24.99, you get 15 card blanks, papers to complete all the cards, embellishments and a beautiful "D" sized stamp set.  Just love it...

 

The focal image of this card is made by "building" the scene.  I know that sounds hard, but it was actually very easy.  Here is how I did it...

1. The White Daisy mat was cut to 3 x 2 inches.  Take a  small circle of scrap paper for the moon and roughly tear scrap paper to produce the sky.

2.  Position the scrap circle in the upper left hand corner and do not move it.  Take the torn paper and position it close to the top.  Sponge toward the top with Sky Ink.

3.  Move the torn paper down about 1/4 of an inch and sponge again.  Remember NOT to move the circle.

4.  Continue this step until you've sponged the entire piece of paper in Sky.  The variations in the sponging will create the "cloud" look to the sky in your scene.

5.  Using Whisper Ink, stamp the trees across the bottom of the card.  You will have to stamp twice to complete your "forest."

6.  Using VersaMark, repeat this step over the trees that you have stamped with Whisper.  Vary the height of the trees from those already stamped.

7.  Using Silver Embossing Powder, heat emboss the VersaMark trees.

8.  Your scene is completed.  No two will look the same.  :o)

 

 



A little more about this card...  I used a White Daisy Card Base and the Gray Sparkle paper from the Sparkle and Shine paper packet.   The larger White Daisy Mat was dry embossed using an embossing folder and "Peace" was embossed in Silver.  It is from the October STOM.  I "grounded" the scene with the strip of Gray, White Daisy, Silver Shimmer Tape and Gray Bakers Twine.

 

It is not too late to make some wonderful Holiday Cards.  The Frosted WTOG and CTMH tools make it so easy.  BTW, we just learned that CTMH is retiring the heat embossing tools in February so, if you are in need of some of the supplies I mentioned here, or need heat embossing tools, visit my website to purchase them.  For Now, Happy Crafting!